newsletter_december_2005

** 45,288 — THE NUMBER OF VETERANS ACCORDED FINAL MILITARY HONORS BY THE MEMORIAL RIFLE SQUAD, FORT SNELLING NATIONAL CEMETERY, FROM JUNE 19, 1979 THROUGH DECEMBER 16, 2005.

** MEMORIAL RIFLE SQUAD ANNUAL MEETING — 10:00 AM, Saturday, January 7, 2006, Roseville American Legion, Lunch will be served, Plan to attend and participate.

** IN MEMORIAM — Chaplain Gene Schultz, at the annual meeting, will ask for a brief moment of silence, remembrance and prayer in honor of the Squad Members lost during 2005.

Because the Memorial Rifle Squad, Fort Snelling National Cemetery, is unique in the chronicles of U. S. history; because United States Citizenry has always played a critical role in Freedom’s defense; because it is too easy to forget what others have done for us, and because there will always be Veterans, it is incumbent upon us to do all we can to fuel the flames of remembrance, and to perpetuate the ideal of service to God, Country and Family. And we start by respectfully remembering our own members

***A STRONG VOICE FOR VETERANS — Clayton “Chief” Pyle died at Mpls. VAMC, December 12, 2005 “Chief was the former Chairman of the UVLC, very active volunteer for a number of VSO’s, served on the USS Saratoga in Korea –. Great gentleman, strong personality, solid friend of the veteran. He will be missed! “ Quote from Tom Mullon. – You will be pleased to know that even though Chief was not a Member, he requested that any memorials be donated to the Memorial Rifle Squad.

**FORT SNELLING HONOR SOCIETY — Still needs volunteers – Contact Society Chairperson, Marlys J. Johnson at 763-551-1771 or by mail at 10540 43rd Avenue North, #205, Plymouth, MN 55442 – Tell your spouse or significant other about this opportunity to honor Veterans and their families – Encourage them to volunteer, and/or to call Ms. Johnson for more details.

**AS PROMISED — the bus is being serviced and repaired; it may be back in service by the time you read this newsletter.

**YOUR EMAIL AND DIRECT MAIL ADDRESSEES — As we build our lists of both email and direct mail addresses, please be sure to include any ill, retired or inactive members. – If it is at all possible, we want to be certain to send a newsletter to everyone who has an interest in Rifle Squad activities.

**WEB SITE INQUIRIES — The web site has had a very moderate number of visitors, four potential members have asked to receive additional information. – If you have friends, members of your post, or others who want to know more about the Rifle Squad, refer them to www.memorialriflesquad.org and we will send them any information they need. — You may have read the request from Roger Fouzie asking about Charles Fouzie a former member and Squad Commander. – Presently, the archives are being searched for Fouzie Photos.

**CONTRIBUTORS NEEDED — For this Newsletter. – With a membership of about 125 Veterans, there is a wealth of great stories waiting to be told. —One excellent example is the recently published Harold Brick autobiography. If you have not read this fascinating story, run out and buy a copy today. Harold is a member of the Thursday Squad and his story is told in a remarkably readable, interesting and articulate narrative. — It should be required reading in every high school in America.

Here is an excerpt from Harold’s book. – * “In Stalag IXB, We were given bread around 11 O’clock in the forenoon. The Germans divided us into groups of eight and each group of eight received a single loaf of black bread.

The bread was dry. There wasn’t any jam or butter to spread on the bread. In addition, my group didn’t have any way to divide the bread other than breaking off pieces. This didn’t work very well, as it was impossible to break the bread into equal pieces. When there are eight hungry men sharing a single loaf, equal pieces are very important.”

And then on page 96, you get a comprehensive lesson on the art of cleaning a cesspool with a German helmet and a long pole.

**Each Squad, Monday through Friday has stories, stories that should be preserved for the next generations of Americans and you should record those stories while they are still fresh in your memory, Of course, with easy access to the Internet, the WorldWideWeb, any number of stories, of any length, can be cataloged, stored and retrieved faster and with greater accuracy than ever before in history. – There is room for your personal story and if you tell it, it will be preserved on the Rifle Squad web site at www.memorialriflesquad.org

**JROTC – As you and your squad ponder over the decision to invite JROTC students to visit your Squad during the summer of 2006 you may want to reflect on who your successors will be and from whence will they come.

Respectfully submitted,

Ted Nemzek, Vice Commander

*Source –BEHIND THE WIRE; MY WORLD WAR II EXPERIENCE – BY HAROLD BRICK